Create professional development programs that help REALTORS® strengthen their businesses.
Protect private property rights and promote the value of REALTORS®.
Advance ethics enforcement programs that increase REALTOR® professionalism.
Protect REALTORS® by providing legal guidance and education.
Stay current on industry issues with daily news from Illinois REALTORS®, network with other professionals, attend a seminar, and keep up with industry trends through events throughout the year.
Whether the subject is increasing a real estate transfer tax in Chicago, reducing buyer broker commissions on property transactions or questioning how the real estate industry operates, Illinois REALTORS® believes it is important for the media and consumers to understand our needs.
That’s why your state association wants to bring four online stories to your attention:
- Yesterday on the real estate news website, TheRealDeal, Illinois REALTORS® President Matt Silver defended the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). In NAR pushes party line at annual conference, Silver says: “Despite some of the challenges we’re having, I think out of it, the phoenix shall rise.”
- In the Nov. 19 Chicago Tribune article, ‘Bring Chicago Home’ proposal aims to boost funding for homeless services. But a similar measure in LA slowed real estate sales, Illinois REALTORS® CEO Jeff Baker is one of several voices against an increase in the real estate transfer tax in Chicago. He says: “Proposals like this act as a disincentive to homeowners who want to freely buy and sell their homes. It also sets up an ‘us versus them’ mentality. We think that’s unhealthy.”
- Last Thursday, in a story on CNN.com, longtime real estate instructor and Illinois REALTOR® Lynn Madison commented about potential changes in the practice of seller brokers splitting commissions with buyer brokers. During a session at NAR NXT in Anaheim earlier this month, Madison reminded REALTORS® that commissions are “always negotiable” and that buyers’ agreements are mandated in some states. Read, “At their annual mega-party, real estate agents on edge over the potential erosion of their commissions.”
- Using the city of Los Angeles as an example of failed policy, Chicago businessman and former mayoral candidate Willie Wilson argues against raising taxes on the wealthy to create enough housing to stop homelessness. Read his Nov. 16 Chicago Tribune opinion piece, “Increasing the real estate transfer tax is bad for businesses and Chicago residents.
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